Whatever Happened To.... (Val Kilmer)

Val Edward Kilmer
DOB: 12-31-59 (that makes him 51)
Height: 6'
Known for being "meticulous" (aka: difficult) when preparing characters.
Started his career on the stage after attending Julliard, has 78 actor credits (films and TV) starting in 1984.
Most noticeable roles:
Iceman in Top Gun
Madmartigan in Willow
Jim Morrison in The Doors
Doc Holiday in Tombstone
Batman/Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever
Col. John Henry Patterson in The Ghost and the Darkness
Simon Templar in The Saint
The voice of Moses in The Prince of Egypt
John Holmes in Wonderland
(http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000174/#Actor)

What happened to Val Kilmer one of the best actors of the 80's and 90's?  After iconic performances in Top Gun and the cult hit Willow, it was his portrayal as Jim Morrison in The Doors that really made Hollywood take notice.  He did his own singing in the film and the real members of the band said they had difficulty distinguishing Kilmer's voice from that of Morrison's.  Kilmer struck a low note, in my personal opinion, with his turn as Batman in Batman Forever.  One of my personal favorites though is his performance as Doc Holiday in Tombstone.  But Val's "sex symbol" status has gone the way of the dodo and his career has all but disappeared.  Apart from appearing in the more well known Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Deja Vu and MacGruber as well as voicing K.I.T.T in the short lived TV reboot of Knight Rider, Kilmer has had a lot of rolls lately in films that most people haven't heard of.

How DOES one go from this-

To this-

Holy Spanx Batman!!!

I realize that there is no written rule saying actors need to stay in shape (though it's unfortunately expected in Hollywood) but it's one of those things that help one's career, especially when one was once known for their good physique.

If this is what happens from living on a ranch in New Mexico for the last 20 years, I don't think that's something I'll sign up for.  Poor Val has only made the news lately for owing the government about $500K in back taxes.  He obviously needs some work and in the words of one blog commentator maybe he should think about making some new movies, tentatively starring in Fatman Forever or Top Gut...

Val, put down the plate of sopapillas and call up Micky Rourke's agent.  'Cause this chick would love to see you in some fabulous new flick!